UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday stated Britain was formally recognising a State of Palestine, in a historic shift in many years of British overseas coverage.
“Today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a two-state answer, the United Kingdom formally recognises the State of Palestine,” Starmer stated in a message on X.
“That means a protected and safe Israel alongside a viable Palestinian State — in the meanwhile, we’ve neither,” he stated in a video message.
He stated Britain was performing “within the face of the rising horror within the Middle East”.
He renewed requires a ceasefire and once more demanded that Hamas Palestinian militants launch hostages seized of their October 7, 2023 assault on Israel.
He branded Hamas a “brutal terror organisation”, confirming plans to step up sanctions on the group.
“Our name for a real two-state answer is the precise reverse of their hateful imaginative and prescient,” he stated in his message, posted simply after Commonwealth members Canada and Australia additionally recognised Palestinian statehood.
The transfer has already drawn anger from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who stated recognition “would endanger our existence” and be an “absurd reward” to Hamas.
But Starmer pressured the popularity of a State of Palestine was “not a reward” for the militants, and insisted the banned terror group may haven’t any function in working a Palestinian state.
Starmer warned that with the humanitarian disaster in Gaza escalating and Israel pushing forward with settlements within the West Bank, “the hope of a two-state answer is fading”, including: “We can not let that mild exit.”
“The hunger and devastation are totally insupportable,” the UK chief stated. “This dying and destruction horrifies us all. It should finish.”
(aw)
